Chapter 1

“Damn that asshole! How dare he do this yet again?” Ariella Patton groaned as she grabbed her hair with frowns plastered on her face.

She stared at the credit alert she had just received, not only was she not sent her full wages, but the money wouldn’t be enough for her monthly budget.

She had just moved to Los Angeles from the country side two months ago and had worked part time at a night, her father was ill and needs medical bill for a surgery he may likely not survived, she wasn’t ready to lose her father as she had lost her mother and sister, but ever since she got here, she had been cheated by her boss.

I’ve definitely had enough!

She got to her feet and grabbed her coat, it was already past eight and she ought to go to bed to get her beauty sleep while she prepared for the next day’s work, but her boss had ruined her mood and her night.

Grabbing her mobile phone, she tucked it in her ripped jean pocket and left the small apartment she had recently started saying.

Arielle hailed a taxi and headed to the club. It was a big and well known club and she has thought it would be nice to work part time in a place that huge since she heard they paid well and are given tips by some wealthy men who shows up there from time to time.

If her father was healthy, she would never have to work at a place like this, he won’t have her work at such place no matter what the reason would be, but right now she had no choice, she had to do it.

Doing four part time job was tiring, she worked at a coffee shop by day, at noon, she works at the library, in the evening, she worked at a restaurant and at night she works at the club, all to get money for her father’s bill, but yet she was being cheated.

She got out of the taxi on arriving at the club, glancing at the building that was filled with lights and ingoing and outgoing people, she clenched her jaw, and she wasn’t the only person who was complaining about the fees being deducted.

The boss was greedy, no matter how much customers he got, he still cheats the staffs and claims right whenever anyone tries to call him out of it, and no one dares speak of his unfair treatment, but this time, she wasn’t going to let it go.

She drew a sharp breath and made her way towards the entrance that two hefty men stood, when she first started working here, they terrified her, they were known as the boss’s bodyguard, they were at his beck and call and they never smiled.

They still terrified her though, but now she didn’t mind if they were there, all she knew was she would go in there, get her pay and kiss this job goodbye.

She walked into the club, the loud music was deafening, people dancing, and the blue and red lights blinking, she didn’t like club much, no, she doesn’t like it, and all they do here was drink, smoke, dance, and hookup with people and do lots of crazy nasty stuff.

She was here only for the money and had to endure it, but now she felt it was time to stop, they pay well, they do, but they don’t.

She glanced around and found a way through the crowd, and then she made her way to the person next to the counter, after glancing around with no sight of her boss.

“Hey, Ariella, I thought you have the day off today, what are you doing back here?” Gabby, her female colleague asked her, she felt like she was enjoying the music as she nods her head to the loud beat.

“Where is Mr. Henry?!” Ariella shouted to be heard by Gabby. “Did you see him?”

“I caught a glimpse of him going upstairs towards the VIP lounge!” She told her and Ariella glanced in the direction. “Can I ask why you want to see him?”

Ariella was too occupied thinking of how to get her boss pay her the remaining wages to answer Gabby’s question, so she pushed forward in the crowd making her way towards the direction Gabby have told her and Gabby shrugged and turned to take the order of the person who had approached her.

Ariella made it through the stairway and made her way upstairs towards the VIP lounge, they weren’t really allowed up here unless ordered to bring drinks, but right now she didn’t care about the rules.

She spotted the average man whose face was filled with smiles as he greeted two men, who sat opposite each other drinking, this was quieter and the noise from the main club was blocked making here convenient for chats and business transaction, whatever it may be.

“Mr. Henry!” She called out without letting him finish, she didn’t mind if she was interrupting them, all she wanted was her complete pay.

He quickly turned when he heard his name and his forehead creased to see her standing before him, he glanced at the two guests behind him and then walked quickly to her.

“What are you doing here, Ariella?!” He scolded her silently not to be heard.

“I need my complete wages!” Ariella said out loud, refusing to be shunned, she had made up her mind not to work here anymore and didn’t mind if the people here heard her, she needed the attention to get him send the payment to her.

Henry glanced behind his shoulder to see that her words had made the people here turn to them, he quickly flashed them a smile and turned back to her.

“Come with me, we should discuss this outside!” He gritted his teeth and held her arms, but she pulled her hand out, she won’t be dragged out of here easily.

“Transfer the rest of my wages before sending me away!” She yelled at him in anger and this brought more attention to them. “You know what you owe me, so send it right now!” Her eyes were aflame, she has never cheated anyone and hates when she was cheated.

Henry’s forehead creased when she said that and his eyes darkened, he clenched his jaw and parted his lips to say something, but he stopped himself when he saw people around whispering, they had heard it all as there were no music playing up here.

No one has dared call him out for it and right now she seemed to have the upper hand. “Oh, it must have been a mistake,” He cracked a laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “I will send it to you, so—“

“Do it now!” She told him firmly and he clenched his jaw and curled his hand into fist, it felt like he should strangle her, but there were lots of eyes.

“Okay, a mistake ought to be corrected.” He chuckled loudly and took out his phone, Ariella knew so well that it was not mistake.

She stared at the screen of his phone, although he was reluctant, he sent it and her phone buzzed in her pocket, she took it out and saw the credit alert of the remaining amount.

“Received, have a wonderful evening.” She told him and made her way out of the VIP lounge in satisfaction.

Henry smiled at the guests and turned to leave the lounge and his expression hardened as he left the lounge, just then, Ariella glanced over her shoulder to see Henry whispering to some security and pointing towards her.

She immediately got the message as she saw they walking towards her, she fastened her steps, but when she noticed they were coughing up on her, she began running.

“Hey! Stop!” They shouted behind her and pushed her, but she didn’t, she rushed down the stairs and mixed up with the dancing crowd, she glanced behind her seeing they were almost close to her.

Thinking quickly, she grabbed hold of the man nearest to her and pulled close to him. “Act natural, I need your help!” Quickly looping her arms over his shoulder she rose to her tiptoes and leaned close to his face like a kiss.

She felt the man try to pull away from her, but she griped him tightly. “Help me, please.” She repeated again glancing over her shoulder and he followed her gaze to see the man approaching them, she quickly turned her face, but at that moment, her lips touched his and she froze as her eyes dilated.